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COVID-19: Vaccine

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Silhouette image of the statue of liberty, holding a small child on its hip. Both the larger statue and child are holding up an arm, showing a band-aid where they got their vaccine shot. In their hands, they are holding COVID-19 vaccine cards. Text: Big protection for little New Yorkers. COVID-19 vaccines now available for kids 6 months and older.

General Vaccine Information

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Now Eligible: Ages 6 Months to 4 Years

Children 6 months to 4 years old should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been authorized by the federal government for this age group.

Children can receive the Moderna vaccine at sites operated by the City. Appointments are recommended for these sites, but walk-ins will be accepted as well.

Ask your child’s pediatrician if they will be offering the vaccine. Some pharmacies may offer vaccine to children 3 years and older.

Parents or guardians must consent to have their child vaccinated. Children younger than 15 years must have an adult with them when they get vaccinated.

Learn more about getting your child vaccinated.

Get Vaccinated Today

To find a vaccination site, use the City's Vaccine Finder:


Find a COVID-19 Vaccine

Call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to schedule an appointment at certain sites, as well as to get other vaccination assistance.

If you are a New York resident who is homebound or at least 65 years old, you can sign up online for an in-home vaccination or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).


Vaccines can protect you and your community from severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death. Vaccines are available at no cost to you and regardless of immigration status.

Vaccination is safer than risking illness and long-term health effects from COVID-19. Even people who have had COVID-19 should get vaccinated.


Vaccinations for Children

COVID-19 vaccines are available for children ages 6 months and older.

The vaccines will help your child develop immunity and provide them with protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. Children may experience similar side effects of vaccination as adults, with usually mild effects lasting one to two days.

The more contagious variants of COVID-19 that have been spreading have caused some children to get sick, be hospitalized and die. The best way to protect your child is to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.

Vaccination Schedule

Children younger than 5 years should get the same vaccine for their second (and third) doses of their primary series as they received for their first dose. They will be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after either their third Pfizer dose or second Moderna dose.

Pfizer

  • Ages: 6 months to 4 years
  • Doses: Three
  • Schedule: Second dose taken at least 21 days (3 weeks) days after the first, and the third dose taken at least 56 days (8 weeks) days after the second.

Moderna

  • Ages: 6 months to 5 years
  • Doses: Two
  • Schedule: Second dose delivered at least 28 days (4 weeks) after the first.

Consent Required

A parent or guardian must provide consent for their child to be vaccinated in person, by phone or in writing, depending on the vaccination site. They will not need to provide proof they are the child's parent or guardian.

Children ages 15 and younger should be accompanied to the vaccination site by a parent or guardian, or another adult caregiver designated by the parent or guardian.


Booster Shots

Vaccine boosters are recommended for everyone 5 and older. These shots increase your immunity from an initial vaccination series.

Anyone who received a second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago, or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago, should get a booster.

If you recently had COVID-19, you can wait to get a booster until 90 days after you first felt symptoms, or, if you had no symptoms, 90 days after your test date.

If you are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 or of getting COVID-19 again, it may be better to get a booster as soon as you are eligible. Talk to your provider about when you should get your next vaccine.

The Health Department recommends you get either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for your booster.

Second Booster

The CDC recommends a second booster dose for all people who are 50 or older, 12 or older and moderately or severely immunocompromised, or 18 or older and have received a primary dose and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

If you are eligible, you should get your second booster four months after your first. The second booster must be either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

If you recently had COVID-19, you can wait to get a booster until 90 days after you first felt symptoms, or, if you had no symptoms, 90 days after your test date.

Review the CDC's guidance on how to decide if you should get a second booster. If you have questions, talk to your provider or call 212-COVID-19 (212-268-4319).


Additional Doses for People with a Weakened Immune System

Separate from boosters, people ages 5 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (meaning they have a weakened immune system) should get an additional vaccine dose, as part of their primary vaccine series. They can get a third dose 28 days after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or their single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

If you got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, get the same vaccine type for your additional dose. If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you must get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for your additional dose.

This shot is intended to help people who may not have had a strong response to the first two shots due to a medical condition or treatment. People ages 12 and older who receive this shot should also get at least one booster when eligible.


Fair and Equitable Access

The Health Department is ensuring there is fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. We are ensuring the communities hit hardest by the pandemic have access to the vaccine.

People with Disabilities

People with disabilities can get help making a vaccination appointment at an accessible site, traveling to their appointment and getting their shot. This kind of help is called a reasonable accommodation.

You can get a reasonable accommodation if you have difficulty with:

  • Seeing or hearing
  • Thinking or concentrating
  • Speaking
  • Using your arms
  • Taking care of daily chores
  • Coping with feelings of sadness or anxiety
  • Getting around or climbing stairs

Though not a complete list, some common examples of a reasonable accommodation are: a wheelchair provided on arrival; ASL interpretation or tactile interpretation; a quiet space if loud spaces are overwhelming; and verbal or physical guidance to navigate the vaccination site.

You can request a reasonable accommodation when you schedule your vaccination, either through the City's online appointment scheduler or by calling 855-491-2667. You can also ask for a reasonable accommodation from staff at a City-run vaccination site, or email hubaccess@health.nyc.gov for more information.

You can also sign up for an in-home vaccination online or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).

For more information, see:


Additional Resources

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General Information

Children, Pregnancy

After Vaccination

FDA Fact Sheets

Other City, State and Federal Government Websites


More Information